. >> reporter: president obama is rejecting the republican proposal because it does not raise taxes on households making more than $250,000 a year. the gop is offering to close tax loopholes and limit deductions instead. >> now, the revenues were put in. going to come from, guess who? the rich. . >> reporter: health republicans say if bush era tax cuts aren't extended for everyone, it will hurt the economy. and they invited small business owners here to capitol hill to make their point. >> reporter: max olsen opened an insurance company this year and is concerned he won't be able to add employees. >> you add their payroll, plus an extra tax amount. then i might not be able to hire them because of it. >> reporter: president obama pressed his case tuesday with ceos of some of the country's largest companies. >> and i'm here to tell you that nobody wants to get this done more than me. >> reporter: the president says he wants to raise tax rates on just about everyone in the room to balance the budget. >> we're not insisting on rates. just out of spite or out of any kind of partisan bickeri